Liquefied petroleum gas system



F 15, 1949- s. SUNDSTROM 2,461,940

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS SYSTEM Filed March 29, 1944 77 29 39:, j; 35 57 40 INVENT fl 85 BY Saw/0 Z. .52/ 031 0/22 ///.r,4 lP/YEK Patented Feb. 15, .1949

, 2,461,940 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS SYSTEM Savin L. Sundstrom, Chicago, Ill., asslgnor to The Bastian-Blessing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 29, 1944, Serial No. 528,605 Claims. (Cl. 284-19) The present invention relates to fittings for handling liquefied petroleum gas, such as propane, which is stored in portable cylinders or tanks for household uses.

In providing individual homes with a fuel gas comparable to natural gas, as in rural communities, where natural or artificial gas is not available, a system of piping is installed in the house with lines running to the appliances to be served,

sure above 160 pounds per square inch in the 20 range of summer temperatures.

In order to handle these pressures safely, the storage cylinders are made comparatively small to be portable, and are heavy walled to withstand the pressure. Because of a small capacity due to their small size, the cylinders have to be replaced and refilled quite often and as a general rule in order to avoid interrupting the gas supply to the house, provision is made to accommodate two of these cylinders at one time so that an emptied one can be removed and replaced by a full cylinder while the other is maintaining service. The removal and replacement may be done by the home owner or on call by the organization furnishing the gas. Means are provided in most two cylinder systems by which only one cylinder will be depleted at a time. Such a means is disclosed and described in the Evarts application, Serial No. 396,566, now Patent No. 2,380,956, reference to whichis hereby made.

The cylinders are generally supported waist high in the open and the detachable connection with the house system is had at-the cylinder for reasons of safety and convenience. The present invention relates primarily to the mechanism of an improved detachable connection and to the fitting which is that part of the detachable connection carried by the tank.

Propane is highly flammable and the handling of propane at the high vapor pressures experienced, dictates that cylinder openingsbe as few and small as possible. Furthermore, since the cylinders are liquid filled under a small pressure differential between high pressures, which diiference is developed generally by gravity or by pumps, it is highly desirable to have a large capacity filling opening to save time.

In the present invention, afitting is provided which is received in a very small cylinder opening, yet provides a large filling capacity with all the appurtenances included which are necessary for safety in handling and storing the cylinders such as a pressure relief valve and a fuse metal relief of large capacity.

The invention is also characterized by a combination pressure responsive and temperature responsive safety relief valve associated with a fill and dispensing device in a single fitting.

Furthermore, in view of the fact that the connection between the cylinder fitting and the house system is often made by novices, the invention contemplates an improved quick opening valve means in the fitting which seals under pressure with a valve opening mechanism, such as a connector nipple, before the valve is opened, after which a seal is also established between the connector member and the body of the fitting to avoid any possible escape of gas while the connection is being made or the cylinder is being removed for replacement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fitting whose valve can be serviced without emptying the cylinder in event the valve disk engaging the valve seat is damaged during filling or is held partly open by a foreign element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a I sealing arrangement in the preferred form in which the connector nipple does not have to pass or extend through the resilient seal in order to open the valve thereby avoiding excess distortion and early destruction of the resilient seal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fitting of the class described which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and service, and which facilitates the rapid filling and use of cylinders to which it is secured.

These being among the objects of the present invention, other and further objects will become apparent from the drawings, the description relating thereto, and the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a device illustrating a system in which the present invention has been incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the fitting illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention with the connector removed.

Fig. 3 is a section taken upon the line 3- in Fig. 2.

Pig. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. is a section taken upon the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Throughout the specification and drawings, like parts are indicated by like numbers, with or without suffixes. Furthermore, the several embodiments shown are illustrated in connection with a system in which two high pressure cylinders ID are used. Each cylinder preferably has a single opening therein (not shown) in which either of the fittings N (Fig. 2) and I2 (Fig. 4) may be received as more particularly shown in the Buttner application, Serial No. 411,484, now Patent No. 2,408,912, reference to which is hereby made.

The cylinders III are supported by their handles l3 upon the bracket |4 secured to the outer wall of a house and which also carries a throw-over regulator I5, such as the one described in the above-mentioned Evarts application. Theinlets ll of the regulator l5 carry conduit means leading to the fittings, which conduit means preferably include a flexible tube safety back fiow check valves |l,.such as shown in the Buttner Patent 2,172,863, reference to which is hereby made, a connector device comprising an elongated nipple terminating in a rounded head ll upon which is mounted a swivel attachment element 2|.

A spud ring 22 protects the'fitting il in transit and a cap 23 protects the connecting members when the cylinder is in use.

As more particularly shown in Fig. 3, the preferred form of the invention is made up of a fitting body threaded as at 24 to be received in a 1%" threaded opening on the cylinder III. A passage is provided through the fitting body as divided into an upper compartment 25 threaded as at 21, and a lower compartment 28 threaded as at 28. The compartments are separated by a flange 3| receiving on its outer face a sealing Basket 32.

The inner compartment 25 serves as a valve compartment with its wall grooved longitudinally as at 33 to form keyway slots at circumferentially spaced points and threaded as at 34 to receive a spider 35 supporting a valve member 35. The spider is axially bored as at 31 to receive the stem 33 of the valve member 36 and channeled as at to support a compression spring 33 which urges the valve member upwardly to its closed position. The upper face of the valve is recessed to receive a valve disc 42 and threaded as at 43 to receive a valve .disc retainer 44.

The upper end of the valve disc retainer 44 is provided with an axial passage 45 provided with a hex contoured cavity 46 at its outer end for wrenching, and with radial openings 41 at its inner end by which gas present in the face of the valve disc 42 has access for movement through the passage 45.

The external contour of the retainer at its outer end includes a circumferential groove at 43 to receive a resilient washer 5!! correspondingly contoured internally to fit in the groove 45 and extend beyond the outer end of the retainer as .at 5| to provide a wall distendable by the rounded head I! of the connector nipple 20 to establish a seal before the connector nipple engages the retainer to force the valve 35 inwardly against the compression'spring 39.

A connector nut 52 is externally threaded to be received in the outer compartment 25 to rest against the gasket 32 in sealed relation. Inwardly beyond the gasket, the nut 52 has a cylindrical portion 53 extending through the flange 3| and terminating in a rounded valve port or seat 54 cooperating with the valve disc 42.

The nut 52 is internally threaded to receive the swivel connector nut 2| and the bottom thereof is provided with a tapering wall 55 into which the resilient washer 50 slides and is compressed to provide a seal when the valve is opened by the connector nipple 20. The outer wall of the retainer is guided by the inner wall of the cylindrical portion, and a shoulder 43 on the grooved portion serves as a stop to limit displacement of the valve.

The inner marginal edge of the flange 3| is rounded to provide a valve seat 51 and the shoulder of the valve member at the side of the valve disc is provided with a surface of revolution as at 53 to cooperate with the seat 51 and provide a metal to metal seal whenever the connector nut 52 is removed from the fitting body whereby the escape of gas from the cylinder is prevented if it is filled at the time repair and replacement of the disc may be required.

Beyond the valve edge 55, the valve member is provided with ears 50 which ride in the keyways 33 and prevent a turning of the valve member 36 when the retainer is being removed or installed. The ears can be dispensed with, if desired, as will be seen in the description of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 where the spider 35a and stem 38a of the valve are squared to prevent rotation.

With the arrangement described thus far, it will be seen that initial assembly is had by mounting the valve member in place ahead of the spider 35 after which the valve disc 42 is dropped into place. The connector nut 52 is then threaded home and the retainer 44 with the resilient washer 50 on it threaded into the valve to hold the disc in place. Once the fitting ii is mounted upon a cylinder Hi, the valve 35 cannot be removed. Whenever it becomes necessary to repair or replace the valve disc 42, it is easily accomplished by removing the retainer 44 and then the connector nut 52. Full access is then had to the disc. In the meantime, the shoulder 53 of the valve seals against the edge 51 to prevent the escape of gas as the connector nut 52 is removed. and when thevalve disc 42 is repaired or replaced, the return oi the connector nut 52 makes seal with the valve disc 42 before breaking the metal to metal contact between the shoulder 53 and edge 51. The retainer 44 is then installed to cooperate with the connector nipple 25 in opening the valve for filling or dispensing purposes.

The shoulder and edge are spaced preferably a distance a little less than the thickness of the valve disc when the valve disc is in place and the valve closed.

Although it is not advisable to leave the valve disc 42 out, it can be done if it becomes necessary to do so, in which case the shoulder 55 and edge 51 contact to provide a valve action and the retainer 44, when in place, will still be in approximately the same relative position in the connector nut 52 to be engaged by the connector nipple 25.

A second passage 10 is provided in the fitting II at one side of the first passage 2i with the outer end enlarged as at TI to provide an upwardly presenting shoulder 12 having a valve seat 13 thereon. The two passages are so arranged that a vertical projection of the second passage clears the top of the connector nut 52.

The valve port, defined by the land 18, is in communication with theinside of' the cylinder mainly through'a branch conduit 14 disposed at an angle to the axis of the passage I and opening either upon the lower face of the fitting, as shown, or into the compartment 28 above the spider 85; the latter being preferred to give a more square drilling and break-through angle inv manufacturing the fitting.

The main passage at its lower end is provided with a radial inwardly extending flange '58 left by the drill in the drilling operation, which flange is countersunk as at 16 to provide a cavity receiving the upper end ofa compression safety valve spring 11.

A safety valve member 18 is disposed in the enlarged chamber 'II, as provided with a valve disc 80 held in an annular groove on the bottom thereof in place to cooperate with the seat land 18. The member 18 is also provided with a, hollow upper portion at the bottom of which is provided a shoulder 8| and an opening 82 in communication with the port defined by the seat I3.

A shaft 88 is provided with one end located in the hollow portion of the member 1a where a head 84 is provided which extends laterally into close proximity to'the walls of the hollow portion near the upper end of the member 18. The lower end of the shaft extends through the opening 82. the lower part of the passage Ill, the flange l9 and the spring 11 to receive a tension adjusting nut 85.

The space between the member 18 and the shaft and head 84 is filled with fusemetal I9 and the clearances between the head and the member I8, and between the shaft 83 and the openin a passage spring to determine at what pressure the valve will open.

A fuse metal plug till is located on the side of the fitting opposite to that of the D111 valve, also 7 III inclined to take advantage of the stock.

It will be noted that the passages I08, Ii I and the connector nut, 52;: are disposed in the same pane. This construction enables flats H2 to be out upon the side of the fitting body for wrenching purposes. Otherwise, the connector nut may be provided with suitable wrenching means, such as a hex head I I3 in Fig. 2 or diametrically spaced recesses I for a special wrench.

Having thus described the construction and operation of the preferred forms of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that further modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fitting for handling liquefied petroleum gas between a detachable connector nipple and a storage tank comprising a body having a passage therethrough divided into upper and lower compartments by a shoulder having an opening therein, a valve support received in the lower compartment, a va ve member carried by the support, means resiliently urging said valve member towards said shoulder, said shoulder and valve member cooperating to form a valve, a valve disc carried by the valve and removable through said opening, a removable retainer element for the valve disc extending into the upper compartment, a connector element removably received in the upper compartment and having a valve seat co- I operating with said valve disc to form a valve,

ing 82 is such that there will beno cold flow of I the fuse metal 19 under the tension exerted by the spring 11 to hold the safety valve .disc against the land 83.

1 However, when the fuse metal is subjected to sufficient applied heat, as to indicate that fire is present. which might tend to melt the walls of thecylinder III to a flow point, the fuse metal melts to release the spring tension holding the valve 18 closed and the depth of the hollow cavity in the member is such that the head 84 will move far enough to release the effect of the sprin completely so that the cylinder will empty itself of pressure through the passage I0 rather than have the cylinder rip and explode.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which the valve disc 42 can also be serviced where the sealing washer 58a is carried on the connector nut 52a. In this embodiment, the connector nut 52a is undercut and faced as at. I00 to receive the resilient washer llll and the shoulder I82 at the bottom of the undercut serves as a stop for the connector nipple 28. Furthermore, the upper end of the retainer is kurfed, as at 103, to be removed by a screw driver, the valve member being held against rotation in this instance by suitable angular cross-sectional contours on the valve stem and the spider opening mating with each other to prevent relative rotation.

The relief valve present in this embodiment is a Dill type tire valve I05 disposed in a passage I06 inclined to take advantage of the stock in the fitting body 38a and threaded at its upper end to receive a compression spring i0! and an adjusting screw I88 to adjust the tension on the and resilient means carried by the retainer element to establish a seal with said n'ipple before movement of the nipple opens the last mentioned valve, said resilient means being carried into seal-.

ing contact with said connector element as the nipple moves the valve to its open position.

2. Afitting for handling liquefied petroleum gas between a detachable connector nipple and a storage tank comprising a body having a passage therethrough divided into upper and lower compartments by a shoulder having an opening therein. a valve support received in the lower compartment. a valve member carried by the.

support means resiliently urging said valve member towards said shoulder, said shoulder and valve member cooperating to form a valve, means for supporting the valve member against rotation, a valve disc carried by the valve and removable through said opening, a removable retainer element for the valve disc extending into the upper compartment. a second element removably received in the upper compartment and having a valve seat cooperating with said valve disc to form a valve, and resilient means carried by one of the elements to establish a seal with said nipple before movement of the nipple opens the last mentioned valve.

3. A fitting for a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system including an element for receiving a connector nipple and defining a surface of atomic as the nipple moves in contact with said means to open the valve.

4. A fitting for a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system including an element for receiv-' ing aconnector nipple, a normally closed valve,

and means carried by said valve to be engaged by.v

ment carried by the valve to establish a seal first with the nipple and then with said element as the nipple is moved in valve opening direction.

6. A fitting for the storage tank of a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system comprising a body having a passage therethrough, a valve member in said passage having a shoulder defining a surface of revolution, a valve disc removably secured to said member, means for supporting the valve member against rotation, removable means cooperating with said valve disc to close said Dossage, said disc being removable from said member when said removable means is removed, and means upon said body cooperating with said shoulder to establish a seal closing said passage when said removable means is removed.

7. A fitting for the storage tank of a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system comprising a body having a passage therethrough, a valve member in said passage having a shoulder defining a surface of revolution, a valve disc on said member, removable means cooperating with said valve disc to close said passage, means upon said body cooperating with said shoulder to establish a seal closing said passage when said removable means is removed, and means carried by said valve extending into said removable means including a resilient washer for engagement by a connector unit for opening the valve.

8. A fitting for the storage tank of a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system comprising a body having a passage therethrough, a valve member in said passage having a shoulder defining a surface of revolution, a valve disc on said member, removable means cooperating with said valve disc to close said passage, means upon said seal closing said passage when said removable means is removed, means carried by said valve for engagement by a connector unit to open the valve. and means carried by said last means to a seal with the connector unit before the connector unit engages said last means.

9. A fitting for the storage tank of a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system comprising a body having a passage therethrough, a valve member in said passage having a shoulder defining a surface 01 revolution, a valve disc on said member, removable means cooperating with said valve disc to close said passage. means upon said body cooperating with said shoulder to establish a seal closing said passage when said removable means is removed, means for holding the disk in place removable through said removable means, and means for holding said valve member against rotation.

10. An article of manufacture for use in a liq- I uei'ied petroleum gas handling system comprising an elongated body portion externallythreaded at one end and having a cavity in the other end with an opening through the wall of the cavity at a point spaced from said other end, a sleeve member mounted in said cavity and adapted to removably receive a connector nipple, said member having an axial flange extending through said opening and ending in a valve port, a valve element actuated by said connector nipple for closing said port, and a resilient element carried by the sleeve member at a point disposed between the outer end oi. said sleeve member and said valve port for establishing a seal between said nipple and said sleeve prior to the opening oi said valve port when said nipple is inserted.

- SAVIN L. SUNDSTROM.

file of this patent:

body cooperating with said shoulder to establish a UNITED STATES PATENT Number Name Date 1,034,628 Landau Aug. 6, 1912 1,864,380 Te Pas June 21, 1932 1,975,929 Lovekin Sept. 6, 1932 2,076,411 Nelson et a1. Apr. 6, 1937 2,092,116 Hansen Sept. 7, 1937 2,099,335 Hansen Nov. 16, 1937 2,129,704 Meyer Sept. 13, 1938 2,131,271 Coles et a1 Sept, 27, 1938 2,172,311 Thomas Sept. 5, 1939 2,278,580 Coles et a1. Apr. 7, 1942 

